Envelope



Dec. 10, 1940. G. MIEHLKE ENVELOPE Filed Nov. 4, 1957 Patented Dec. 1 0, 1940 UNITED- STATES PATENT oFFlci;

ENVELOPE I Carl G. Miehlke, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 4, 1937, Serial No. 172,688 I 3 Claims.

This invention is concerned with' a safety envelope provided with sealing means which are broken or damaged if an attempt is made to open the envelope, thus furnishing a safeguard against unauthorized opening ortampering with the article and its contents.

The sealing means comprises an insert of thin tissue paper marginally secured inside the stationary or Xed sealing iiapY and providing an auxiliary pocket therein, and a tongue cut out from the material of thefxedilap which may be brought into sealing engagement with the movable sealing flap and with the material of the auxiliary pocket, respectively, in a Variety of ways, upon closure of the envelope. Any attempt to open the envelope tends to break or damage .either the sealing tongue or the material of the auxiliary sealing pocket, or both. The

envelope is thus protectedV in an effective manner, against` the danger'of unauthorized opening, which may be important incase of valuable contents, and safer transit isassured by its use.

The new envelope `is described below with reference tothe drawingzwherein Figs. 1y and 2 are a plane view and a side view, respectively, of the-new envelope;

Fig. 3- is a transversely enlarged partial section along line13-3 of the envelope showing the various component parts Fig. 4 is,` an enlargedsection along line 4--4 through the movable sealing flap ofthe envelope; and

Fig. 5 is a partial transversesectionthrough the closed. and. sealed structure` with the movable iiap in sealed position;

Fig. 6 shows a section similar tothe one indicated in Fig. 5, but illustrates a diiierent manner of using the sealing means;

Fig. '7A shows another way of using the envelope, namely, with the raised portion of the movable sealing flap in` alignment with and within the aperture in the hiredv flap and in sealing engagement with the 'tissue paper within the pocket; and- Fig. Brillustrates a further way of using the envelope, and specifically the tongue out out from the lixed sealing flap to secure the envelope against unauthorized opening.

LikeV parts arel numbered alike throughout the drawing.

The envelope consists of the usual pocket portion comprising the stationary or fixed sealing ap I l and a movable sealing flap I2. The latter is marginally provided with adhesive, as indicated in Fig. l at I2. Inside of the envelope pocket,

and particularly inside the stationary sealing flap II, is disposed a sheet of thin tissue paper 20 which is only marginally secured to the pocket portion of the envelope body, as shown in Fig. 1 in shaded lines, indicating adhesive thus provid- 5 ing anv auxiliary pocket 2l. Cut out or punched out from the body of the stationary or xed ap I I is a tonguev I3which carries at least one, and if desired, two rows ofperforations I4 and I5. This tongue I3 may be` provided with adhesive, 10 as indicated by the shading thereon. The iiXed sealing flap= II is also provided with a slot I1 substantially along the line of the tongue I3' as shown in Fig. l. This tongue I3 may be bent out from the body of the envelope, as shownV in Figs.' 15 2 and 3, and when'thus pulled out it opens up an elongated aperture 22 which is closed on its back side by the sheet material 20 forming the auxiliary pocket 2l. Attention is particularly called to the fact thatv this material 29 is` only 2Q marginally attached inside the envelope.

Another slot I5 is provided in the movable flap I2 for receiving the tongue I3 in a manner to be subsequently'describedf, when it is desired to seal the envelope. The material of the flap I2 is re- 25 cessed so as to form a depression I8 and, conversely, a raised portion I3, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. This particular feature is not critical and may even be dispensed with Without seriously affecting the invention. The depression I3 30v receives and accommodates the tongue I3 in a certain embodiment of the invention indicated in Fig. 6, and the raised portion I9 which may be provided with adhesive, as indicated in Fig. 1 by the shading, enters into the aperture 22 in the 35 embodiment shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, as'will be subsequently described in detail.

The tongue I3 and the material 2B of the auX- iliary pocket constitute additional sealing means which are brought into engagement with the 40 movable flap l2 when the envelope is to be sealed;

One manner of sealing this new envelope is illustrated in` Fig; 5 which is a partial. transversely enlarged section through the closed and sealed structure with the movable ap I2 in 45 vsealed` position. The various parts are shown on an enlarged' scale and also somewhat distorted as to proportions so as to bring out the details. Numeral I I isV the bodyv of the stationary flap which carries the tongue I3 provided with the perfora- 50 tions I4 and I5, and 20 is the material marginally attached inside the envelope substantially edgewise of the lixedl flap I'I, and forming the auxiliary pocket. The tongue I3 may be gummed on the inner surface where it engages the tissue pa- 55 per 20, and the movable flap I2 may be marginally gummed as already mentioned. The method of sealing conforms, in this example, entirely to the usual sealing method of orthodox envelopes. The tongue I3 may be disregarded except that its inside may be wetted so as to attach it rmly to the tissue paper 20. When the movable flap I2 is closed against the iixed flap II, as shown, and is sealed thereto, it will also attach in sealing engagement with a portion of the tongue I3, and this tongue is thus brought into sealing engagement with the tissue paper 20 as well as with the movable flap I2. The slots or perforations vII; and I1 perform no particular function in this manner of using the envelope except that they increase the hazards attending an unauthorized attempt to open the envelope.` y

Assuming that the envelope is tampered with by any of the known means, for example, by applying steam or solvents and` prying open the movable Iiap I2, a point will be reached where the manipulation will affect the juncture of the tongue I3 where it is rmly sealed to the fragile tissue paper 20 and also to the movable iiap I2. Such an attempt,'no matter how it may be executed, is very likely to result in damaging or tearing either the tongue I3 at its perforated portions or the tissue paper 2U, or both. Fig. 6 shows a section similar to the one shown in Fig. 5, but illustrates a diierent manner of making use of the new sealing means. The tongue I3 is in this case threaded through the slot I6 of the movable flap I2 and nestles within the depression I8 While the raised portion I 9 engages the tissue paper 2U. The perforations I5 are in this case substantially along the line of the slot I6. The tongue I3 internally provided with adhesive attaches firmly to the movable flap I2, while the usual portion of this movable flap which is also provided with adhesive engages the tissue paper 20, inasmuch as it enters into the aperture 22, as shown. The movable flap I2 may be provided with adhesive along the raised portion I9, as already stated before-but its usual gummed section will be sufcient for most cases. Anyone attempting to tamper with the envelope would have to iirst remove the tongue I3 from its engagement with the flap I2. It is clear that this would cause considerable difliculties and would most likely result in a tearing of the tongue I3, particularly at its perforations I4 or I5. Assuming, however, that the attempt to loosen the tongue I3 is successful, it would still be necessary to remove the flap I2 from sealing engagement with the xed flap II and also with the tissue paper body 2B which is quite fragile and easily damaged and torn. It stands to reason, therefore, that an envelope sealed in this manner and provided with these additional sealing means would not be tampered with. At any rate, any attempt to tamper with it would leave its marks and would put the addressee on his guard, thus giving him means for seeking redress and taking appropriate steps against a recurrence.

lIn Fig. 7, the movable iiap I2 is rst attached in the usual way, after threading the tongue I3 through the slot I 6. 'Ihe movable flap is thus in sealing engagement with the fixed flap II and through the aperture 22 also with the tissue paper 20. The tongue I3, which in this case may be gummed externally, is then bent downwardly and attached in sealing engagement with the edge of the movable flap I2 as well as with the body of the xed flap II. Tampering or unauthorized opening would again require iirst loosening and removal of the tongue I3 which would be attended by hazards due to the slot I'I and to the perforations I4 and I5. It would then be necessary, as in the former case, to loosen and remove the movable flap I2 from engagement with the xed ap I I and with the tissue paper 20, respectively. The diiiiculties in the Way of such an attempt are apparent, and it would certainly leave its mark and furnish means toward exposure of anyone attempting such tampering.

In Fig. 8 is shown a further way of using the new envelope and securing its contents against unauthorized opening. The tongue I3 is again threaded through the slot I6 in the movable flap I2 prior to sealing this ap in engagement with the xed flap I2 and with the tissue paper 20, as previously described. The tongue I3 is next bent downwardly as in Fig. '7, but is also threaded through the slot I'I in the xed ilap II, entering into the auxiliary pocket 2|. The tongue I3 may be externally gummed, as previously described, and after sealing the various parts together, as shown in Fig. 8, the envelope is quite secure against tampering, so far as provisions can reasonably be made to safeguard against such an attempt. In this example, the removal of the tongue I3 by unauthorized means appears well nigh impossible, without breaking either the tissue paper seal 20 or the tongue I3 itself, or the fixed flap II, because it would be necessary to withdraw the end of the tongue from the pocket 2I (to which it is sealed) and then to lift it oif the body II and the end of the movable flap I 2, incurring the danger of breaking the perforations I4 or I5, and finally, to remove the movable flap I2 from sealing engagement with the body II and also with the fragile tissue paper body 20.

'The envelope may in other respects conform to the Vorthodox manner of making and using it. It may be made of ypaper lor any other suitable material. The depressed and raised portions I8 and I9, respectively, may be provided where the thickness of the material requires it. Special gumming of the area denoted by the raised portion I9 may be provided where required. In most cases the usual marginal gumming of the flap I2. will suce because it will be Within reach of the aperture 22 in the fixed flap and will thus reach the insert 20 for the purpose described.

Changes may be made Within the scope and spirit of the appended claims wherein I have defined what I believe is new and what I desire to have protected by Letters Patent of the United States.

I claim:

l. In an envelope having a fixed sealing flap forming a pocket and a movable sealing iiap for sealing engagement with said fixed sealing flap to close said pocket, safety seal means, comprising a tongue in said fixed sealing flap normally closing an aperture therein, a slot in said movable sealing ap for threading said tongue therethrough incident to sealing said envelope and thereby exposing said aperture. a sheet of tissue paper or the like secured marginally'within said Apocket against the inside of said fixed sealing flap, and a raised area on the inside of said movable sealing flap for sealing engagement with said tissue paper through said exposed aperture in said iixed sealing ap.

2. In an envelope, a tongue cut out from the material forming the pocket of the envelope and exposing upon removal thereof an aperture in the back portion of said pocket,`a sheet of tissue paper marginally secured within said pocket against said back portion and loosely extending Within said pocket across said aperture, a slot in the sealing flap of said envelope for threading said tongue therethrough incident to closing said envelope to expose said aperture, and a raised area projecting from the inside plane of said sealing flap for alignment with and within said exposed aperture when said nap is in sealing position, said raised portion engaging said tissue paper within said pocket in sealing engagement therewith, and said tongue engaging the outside of the back of the sealed envelope in sealing engagement therewith.

3. In an envelope, a tongue cut out from the material of the back portion thereof which forms the pocket therefor and being normally disposed 'within an aperture therein, a sheet of tissue paper or the like marginally secured within said pocket against said back portion and normally loosely extending within said pocket across said tongue and said aperture, and safety seal means in the sealing nap of said envelope, comprising a slot for threading said tongue therethrough incident to moving said sealing ilap into closing position and thereby exposing said aperture, a raised area projecting from the inside plane of said sealing flap for alignment with and Within said exposed aperture when said nap is in marginal sealing engagement with said back portion, said raised portion engaging said tissue paper Within said pocket in sealing engagement therewith, and a depressed area in said sealing ap on the outside thereof for receiving said tongue in sealing engagement therewith.

' CARL G. MIEHLKE. 

